self-publishing

I wanted to let my readers know about two just released books I’m really excited about. The first is My Lady, My Lord, by Katharine Ashe. Many of you are already familiar with Katherine’s fabulous and lyrical historical romances, and she’s one of my favorite authors. I’ve got this book teed up and ready to go on my iPad as we speak! Here’s the book blurb:

The BluestockingLady Corinna Mowbray has three passions: excellent books, intelligent conversation, and disdaining the libertine Earl of Chance.

Neighbors for years, they’ve been at each other’s throats since they can remember. But when a twist of fate forces them to trade lives, how long will it be before they discover they cannot live without each other?

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? My Lady, My Lord is available on Kindle and Nook, and you can also read an excerpt on Katharine’s website and check out where else the book is sold.

The other book is by debut author Beth Hyland. Beth has just published a New Adult Romance called Fall Into Forever, and in less than a week it’s cracked the bestseller lists at Amazon and B & N.

Here’s the blurb:

A girl with a past she can’t remember. A guy with a past he can’t forget.

Ivy McAllister had it all. Perfect boyfriend. Perfect life. Perfect future. Or so they tell her. Because one night, on a dark country road, a fiery crash changed everything…and Ivy can’t remember what happened.

Now, two years later, at a new college far from home, she tries to regain control of her life, but her plans don’t include a tattooed, motorcycle-riding, indie music-obsessed guy with his own sorority girl fan club.

Jon Priestly is the hottest guy at Pacific State University. Just ask his groupies. But with a dark past he must keep hidden, he shuts himself off emotionally and trusts no one. That is…until he meets a broken girl with haunting green eyes and secrets of her own.

Ivy shouldn’t be attracted to Jon. They’re wrong for each other in every possible way. Yet as they spend time together, something about him–everything about him–feels so right.

But when threats from her past make her question what little she does remember, Ivy must decide whether to run again or trust the one person she can’t live without.

And what I really like about this book is that it’s a standalone novel – unlike many New Adult stories, Fall into Forever does NOT have a cliffhanger ending. It’s available on Amazon and B & Nfor only 99 cents for a limited time, so you want to hop on that.

Boy, have I got a great deal for you today! Three stories by fellow Rock*It Reads authors Bonnie Vanak, Laurie London, and Erin Kellison are featured in a new paranormal romance anthology that also includes other fantastic authors like USA Today Bestseller Jennifer Ashley. Even more exciting, this collection is now on sale for ONLY 99 cents! Trust me – I’ve already downloaded my own copy.

Here are some of the stories included in this anthology:

THE MATING HUNT by Bonnie Vanak
After a childhood trauma left Arianna Sanders terrified of sex, the only man the pretty Lupine werewolf desires is her fiercely protective guardian. But the sexy, mysterious shifter harbors a dark secret, one he’s determined to hide from Arianna.

Kyle Morgan hungers for the voluptuous Arianna and dreams of consummating the passion smoldering between them. When he’s forced into mating with her to save her life, he must tame the savage, sexual beast inside him before taking the virgin he’s vowed to protect from those hungering to claim her, including himself…

ASSASSIN’S TOUCH by Laurie London
Two worlds. Two enemies. One fated touch.

Former fashion designer Neyla Trihorn had the perfect life until a deadly accident revealed her latent para-abilities–now she’s the army’s hottest asset in their fight against invaders. Rickert D’Angelus, the dangerously sexy assassin from Cascadia, leads a group of warriors into New Seattle to stop enemy soldiers from finding the Iron Portal into his world.

When he captures the beautiful Protection-Talent, a passionate vision appears and stirs something deep inside him. Rickert must decide if it’s a Talent trick, designed to foil the enemy…or the answer to his deepest desires.

SHADOW BOUND by Erin Kellison
Dark fantasy meets modern fairy tale…

Adam Thorne founded the Segue Institute to study and destroy his monster of a brother, but the key to its success is held in the pale, slender hand of a woman on the run. There is something hauntingly different about Talia O’Brien, her unknowing sensuality, her uncanny way of slipping into Shadow. Twilight is the place between life and what comes after–a dark forest of fantasy, filled with beauty, peril, mystery. And Talia is about to open the door.

HARD MATED by Jennifer Ashley
Spike, a wildcat Shifter and the champion fighter of Shiftertown, is stunned when Myka, the best friend of a dying human woman, announces that Spike has fathered a cub. What’s more, the mother is giving the boy to Spike to protect and raise.

Spike is torn between the cub and his duties as tracker to the Shiftertown leader, and begs sassy and sexy horse-training Myka, the only person who understands, to help him. When Spike’s job puts his cub and Myka in danger, Spike is forced to choose between those to whom he’s pledged his loyalty and his need to protect the woman and cub he’s come to love.

***

Wow! What a great collection, and there are two other stories contained in this anthology as well. If you love sexy paranormal romance, you really shouldn’t let this deal pass you by. You can find Dark And Dangerous on Amazon, B & N, Kobo, and most e-retailers.

Nice, eh? But it’s not all about the prizes, is it? It’s about the books, too–all those wonderful reads that can steam up your summer and make it a whole lot of fun! And what better for a hot read than the Boys of Summer, themselves?

In addition to my historical romances, I write contemporary romance with my husband as V.K. Sykes. As you can imagine, writing romance with hubby leads to some interesting developments–plot developments, that is. You see, hubby is something of a baseball fanatic, so he thought it would be fun to write a series centered around the players of a pro ball team. Thus, The Philadelphia Patriotswere born.

Our USA Today Bestselling series features classic alpha male athletes as heroes, and the women who tame them. These guys are smart, sexy, and very hot, as our heroines find out sooner rather than later! Here’s the blurb for our latest book in the series, Curveball:

Taylor Page has never wanted anything but a career in major league baseball. Through talent and guts, she’s finally landed a position as Assistant General Manager of the Philadelphia Patriots. The only problem is that most men in baseball still don’t take a woman exec seriously, so she needs to do something big to convince her bosses she has what it takes to run a team.

Veteran Pittsburgh outfielder Ryan Locke’s career is in jeopardy when a suddenly unreliable throwing arm comes on top of rehab from a major injury. A single parent with a troubled daughter and an alcoholic mother to provide for, retirement is out of the question.

When Taylor needs a replacement for an injured first baseman, she comes up with a risky idea: convince her boss to make a trade for Ryan Locke, and then convince the still talented slugger to play first base for the Patriots. With Ryan dead-set against that plan and both their careers on the line, neither Taylor nor Ryan can afford the explosive physical attraction between them. But despite Taylor’s best efforts to resist Ryan’s campaign of seduction, she’s not sure she’s got the willpower to keep from playing along.

For my visitors to the blog today, I’ll be giving away a copy of my Philadelphia Patriots 3 Book Box Set, plus a $10 Amazon gift card. Just tell me what hot summer reads you’ve got lined up for a chance to win!

And don’t forget to visit the other sites in the Blog Hop. Click here to start hopping away!

Under my V.K. Sykes pen name, I’ve just published a contemporary romance anthology with two fabulous authors. Play Hardis a three book bundle of sports romances, written by Juliana Stone, Jennifer Lyon, and moi. And for a limited time, it’s only 99 cents!!

Each story revolves around a different sport and one sexy, uber-alpha hero–we’ve got baseball, hockey, and Mixed Martial Arts, so take your pick! Play Hard is now on sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and All Romance e-Books. It will soon be available in the iTunes store, too.

I’m thrilled to have romance writer Bronwen Evans guest hosting on the blog today. She writes fabulous, award-winning Regency-set historical romance, and her books have garnered much well-deserved acclaim. Today, Bronwen is talking about romance series and why we love them, both as readers and writers.

Although I’m a romance writer, I’m also a ferocious romance reader, and a fabulous romance ‘series’ wins hands down when I’m looking for something to read. I don’t know what it is about a series, I suspect it’s that I get to spend a bit longer with my favorite characters.

So, it’s probably no surprise that I also love writing a romance series.

Last year, I wrote a long novella series called, Wicked Wagers. Three notorious rakes, and three determined ladies, collide in this set of three linked Regency romance stories, all based around a series of scandalous dares, wagers, and challenges. The trilogy stories are available in separate eBooks, or you can buy Wicked Wagers, The Complete Trilogy eBook and it’s also now in book format (Amazon only).

Writing a series book isn’t as easy as some believe it to be. At the end of book one, I’ve set a reader’s expectations, and as the author, I must strive to maintain the momentum created in book one. So it was particularly nerve-wracking when the first story in the Wicked Wagers trilogy, TO DARE THE DUKE OF DANGERFIELD, was a Top 5 Finalist in the Kindle Book Review Indie Romance Book of the Year 2012.

Then you have to write book two! I was focused on not disappointing my readers, while remembering to remain true to my characters. Story two, Marcus’s story, TO WAGER THE MARQUIS OF WOLVERSTONE, is a bit darker.I had to ensure he was still the tortured, and pain-filled rake he was in book one. As I’ve had several Top Pick reviews for Marcus’s story, I think I managed to hold the readers interest and still stay true to his dark and tortured nature.

Story three, TO CHALLENGE THE EARL OF CRAVENSWOOD, was always going to be both sad and a joy to write. Henry was such a loveable rogue, and the only hero in the series who was desperately looking for love. Such fun!

While it could be considered risky to write a series, the rewards far outweigh the risks. I love how readers get completely embroiled in your characters and their world. That is all the reward I need. I found it really sad to write Henry’s story as it was the final book—did I say final? Already readers have asked me for more books in this series, and they’ve given me some great ideas (did I mention I love feedback?).

I hope you’ll check out my Wicked Wagers Trilogy. I’ve detailed each of the books below. To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield is on sale at the moment for $0.99.

Lady Caitlin Southall’s temper has finally got the better of her. She’s challenged Harlow Telford, the Duke of Dangerfield, the most notorious rake in all of England, to a wager. She wants her house back. The one her destitute father lost to Dangerfield in a card game. But if she doesn’t win their bet, she not only loses her home, she loses her dignity and pride and damn it all, maybe her heart… For the handsome Duke has decreed, when he wins, she must spend the night in his bed.

Harlow Telford is amused by his hellion neighbor, Caitlin, or Cate to her friends, who seem to encompass everyone on earth except him. When she bursts into one of his private gatherings, he mistakes her for the entertainment. Her slap across his face sets him straight and raises the absurd desire to seduce the unconventional beauty into his bed. When she issues her daft challenge to win back her father’s pile of rubble, the terms are set. And he’ll do anything to win—except fall in love…

Marcus Danvers, the Marquis of Wolverstone, is renowned for his cynical demeanor. It’s rumored that long ago, a beautiful woman broke his heart. Now he lives life for pleasure. He’s the consummate, handsome rake. If anyone tries to get too close—let’s just say his bark is as bad as his bite. That is, until the beautiful, as she is deceitful, Contessa Orsini re-enters his life with a wager he cannot resist. When he wins, he’ll have Sabine exactly where he wants her—in his bed and at his mercy.

Forced to return to England and avenge her father’s death, Sabine knows the one person who can help her is the only man she has ever loved—Marcus. The man who hates her with as much passion as he once loved her. But Marcus doesn’t know that by winning the wager he’ll also be getting his revenge. For there are some secrets best left buried…

Henry St. Giles, the Earl of Cravenswood, longs to find his soul mate. Now that his two best friends, both reformed rakes, are happily married, the need becomes an obsession. When they challenge him to find a wife by the end of the season or marry his neighbor, the innocently alluring Lady Amy Shipton, he can’t believe his luck. He wins, either way. But a darkened garden, a case of mistaken identity, a drunken kiss, and a dropped emerald earring, leads Henry on a Cinderella hunt. He knows the woman he held in his arms could be the one he’s searched for all his life. He just has to find her.

Lady Amy Shipton is determined to marry for love instead of sharing her husband like her mother did. So why did she let her handsome neighbor and romantic fantasy, the Sinful Saint as he’s called for his bedroom prowess, seduce her in his garden? And what can she do when in the middle of their passionate encounter; he whispers another woman’s name. Now Henry is hunting the owner of the earring Amy left behind, and she’s determined to retrieve it before her identity is revealed. She’s not about to give her father the ammunition he desperately wants to force her down the aisle.

Vanessa, here. Doesn’t this trilogy sound awesome? To win a copy, just tell us why you enjoy reading series and what are some of your favorites. One person who comments will win a copy of Bronwen’s trilogy. And don’t forget to stop by her website to read the excerpts from all three novellas!